Betriebsvereinbarung gekündigt: Mercedes-Benz will Beschäftigte an vier Tagen im Büro sehen

Mercedes-Benz employees in Stuttgart will be required to work four days per week in the office under a new company-wide agreement, according to a spokeswoman. This move allows managers to set up to four days of in-person attendance for full-time staff without providing a reason, the spokeswoman explained. The new standard aims to become the norm in the future, the spokeswoman added.

The existing agreement between the company and workers has been terminated accordingly, following a recent report by "Wirtschaftswoche". The updated agreement must still be approved by the works council at each location before it can take effect on January 1, 2027, unless the sites remain without a contract by the end of March. Mercedes-Benz claims that negotiations with the works council preceded the new agreement.

The previous arrangement provided employees with significant flexibility in choosing their work locations. The new agreement will still allow flexibility, as special exceptions will be discussed and approved between managers and employees, according to a letter received by the employees. Mercedes-Benz intends to reduce labor costs in Germany to become more competitive.

The company's plant director, Michael Schiebe, had threatened to close two German factories if labor costs were not reduced. Workers have previously protested against the company's plans.